Man finds 'massive underground Nazi shelter' in Poland

Explorer says radar tests prove existence of giant structure in mountains where search for 'gold train' is also ongoing.

12 Sep 2015 09:37 GMT

Walbrzych has attracted treasure hunters from around the world after claims it hid a Nazi 'gold-train' [EPA]

A Polish explorer claims he has found a massive underground structure in southwestern Poland that, he says, the Nazis had built to protect thousands of people.

Krzysztof Szpakowski told a news conference on Friday that he has no doubt about his find, which he says was based on evidence that he has gathered for decades, including witness statements, old documents and an examination of the area by ground-penetrating radar and by dowsers.

Speaking on local TV station TVN24, Szpakowski said the structure was part of the "Riese" (giant) system of railway tunnels, corridors and shelters that the Nazis were built during World War Two in the mountains around the city of Walbrzych.

Szpakowski said that anything from technical appliances to armaments could be inside, but "not a gold train."

The news conference was hosted by Walbrzych regional authorities, who said they have officially registered his information and are seeking state funds for the exploration, the AP news agency reported.

Last month, two men sparked a gold rush by claiming they had fund a tunnel at a separate location in Walbrzych that contains a Nazi train that could be carrying valuables.

Now they say it could be rather precious minerals for the war industry. Nothing has been found yet.

Historians say there are dozens of kilometres of tunnels and only 10 percent of them have been uncovered.

No documents have been found to indicate their overall purpose, but they have attracted explorers and inspired legends of a hidden Nazi train laden with gold.

The region was in Germany until the war's end and then became part of Poland.

The Red Army resided in the area for about 18 months after the war before handing it over to the Poles.